Senior+ Embedded/Firmware Engineer

Hapiko; New York (NY); On-site; USD 150,000 - 250,000; Full time

Job summary

Hapiko, a Brooklyn-based company building the future of play, seeks an experienced embedded engineer to own firmware for ESP-based devices. You’ll work where real-time performance meets delightful user experiences, shipping hardware that just works in homes.

You’ll optimize C/C++ firmware, implement low-latency audio pipelines, OTA updates, and detect peripherals like displays and sensors. The role is on-site in NYC with opportunities to influence hardware decisions and scale firmware for

Qualifications

• 5+ years building embedded systems with strong C++ skills.
• Deep experience with the ESP platform and toolchain.
• Hands-on audio data handling via I2S or PDM.
• Experience shipping firmware for memory-constrained, low-power environments.
• Experience integrating peripherals via SPI, UART, GPIO.
• Experience shipping consumer electronics or high-volume hardware.
• Worked with FreeRTOS and task scheduling.
• Applied basic audio DSP techniques like filtering and gain control.
• Built firmware for manufacturing test and factory workflows.
• Written Python scripts for tooling or test automation.

Responsibilities

• Own firmware that runs on thousands of devices in people’s homes.
• Optimize C/C++ firmware for ESP-based systems.
• Develop real-time audio pipelines with low-latency capture and playback.
• Implement reliable OTA update systems for thousands to millions of devices.
• Integrate peripherals across displays, printers, and sensors.
• Memory and power optimizations that squeeze every bit of performance.
• Production-ready firmware built for manufacturing scale.

Skills

Embedded systems

C++

ESP platform

I2S / PDM audio

FreeRTOS

SPI / UART / GPIO

Python scripting

Hardware debugging

Tools

ESP-IDF

FreeRTOS

Oscilloscope

Logic analyzers

Job description

Full-time embedded engineer, working at the sweet spot where real-time performance meets delightful user experiences.

About Hapiko

Hapiko is a Brooklyn-based company building the future of play.

The Role

Own firmware that runs on thousands of devices in people’s homes. You’ll work at the sweet spot where real-time performance meets delightful user experiences, making hardware that feels simple and just works.

You’ll ship

• Optimized C/C++ firmware for ESP-based systems
• Real-time audio pipelines with low-latency capture and playback
• Reliable OTA update systems for thousands -> millions of devices already in the wild
• Peripheral integrations across displays, printers, and sensors
• Memory and power optimizations that squeeze every bit of performance
• Production-ready firmware built for manufacturing scale

You’re a Great Fit If You Have

• 5+ years building embedded systems with strong C++ skills
• Deep experience with the ESP platform and toolchain
• Hands-on audio data handling via I2S or PDM
• Comfort with hardware debugging tools like oscilloscopes and logic analyzers
• Track record shipping firmware for memory-constrained, low-power environments
• Experience integrating peripherals via SPI, UART, GPIO
• Experience shipping consumer electronics or high-volume hardware
• Worked with FreeRTOS and task scheduling
• Applied basic audio DSP techniques like filtering and gain control
• Built firmware for manufacturing test and factory workflows
• Written Python scripts for tooling or test automation

Our Stack

• Firmware: C/C++, ESP-IDF, FreeRTOS
• Audio: I2S, PDM microphones, Speaker
• Connectivity: WiFi and Web protocols
• Peripherals: TFT displays, thermal printers, various sensors

Why Join Us

We’re a small, experienced team backed by top investors and moving fast. You’ll own the entire firmware stack, influence hardware decisions from the ground up, and help build tech that feels magical and meaningful — while solving real embedded systems challenges.

If you love shipping firmware that powers delightful experiences, we’d love to talk to you!

Location: NYC only, On-site (flexible on WFH but we like to be in office the majority of the week) in our Brooklyn based office, close to most major train lines.

Salary

$150,000 - $250,000 per year